Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
mercredi 2 août 2017
Everything You Need to Know About the Color of Your Poop
It's not a pleasant topic, but it's one that requires our attention. Your poop tells you everything you need to know about your overall health, especially what's going on in your digestive system. Although there's not necessarily a one-poop-fits-all rule to live by, a standard healthy poop is sausage-like and "S"-shaped, and generally it should sink. Your poop will certainly vary from day to day depending on what you've been eating and drinking, but this is the kind of stool you should be aiming for.
The consistency of your poop matters, but it isn't the only thing you should be looking at. The color matters, too. Here's a basic guide to judging the color of your stool.
Black
Generally, black poop isn't something to worry too much about, particularly if it's a one-off thing. Some foods you eat can cause your stool to turn a dark, scary color, such as black licorice, too many blueberries, or Pepto-Bismol. However, if your poop is consistently black and you can't figure out why, you should probably go see a doctor. It might mean you have bleeding in your upper gastrointestinal tract.
Yellowish
This could mean a few things. Your bile ducts could be blocked, your pancreas might not be secreting enough enzymes for digestion, or you could be having trouble processing gluten and you might have celiac disease. Don't let yellow poop go unnoticed, especially if it's showing up more often than not. It could be a sign of internal trouble.
Green
You might look at green stool and just chalk it up to eating a lot of spinach or kale, and that could certainly be the case, but leafy greens aren't the only culprit. Green poop can also happen when food moves through your intestines too quickly and isn't processed fully by the bile in your body. Iron supplements and other foods might give you green stool as well. Whatever the case may be, green poop is generally nothing to worry about.
Reddish
There are two kinds of red poops you should know about. The first is completely harmless, as it's likely from having one too many beet juices or desserts that feature some kind of red food coloring. However, the other kind is when blood is in your stool, and that's not a good thing. It could mean a few different things, from internal hemorrhaging to an anal fissure. It might even indicate a type of undiagnosed cancer. If you can't pinpoint it to something you ate and you just keep seeing red in your toilet bowl, chat with your doctor ASAP.
Light Colored or Gray
A lighter shade of poop, whether it's clay-like or gray, means there isn't enough bile in your poop, which could indicate a bile duct obstruction. This calls for a visit to your doctor. Then again, light-colored stool might show up if you're taking certain medications or recently took an antidiarrheal drug. The general rule of thumb is if it shows up consistently, it's worth talking to a medical professional about.
16 Summer Panties So Comfortable You Might Not Want to Take Them Off
When it comes to sweltering Summer days, the undergarments we choose to wear are pretty important. Whether you're a fan of delicate lace bralettes or freeing the nipple (to each their own), the main goal is comfort.
The same can be said for your panties. You want a pair that provides breathability and perhaps looks seamless so they don't show up under your sheer dresses. Shopping for the "Summer panty," as we're calling it, isn't too hard. Look for mesh or lace options made of lightweight cotton or silk. We even provided some shopping options ahead. When you slip these babies on, you won't feel a thing.
14 Simple and Creative Lunches Just in Time For Class to Start
Now that the new school year is fast approaching, there are a million details on your mind. Your to-do list covers everything from back-to-school supply shopping to arranging this year's carpool - but now there is one chore you can check off: figuring out what's for lunch. Leave basic sandwiches behind and throw together these easy lunch ideas that are picky-eater approved. Check out these 14 back-to-school lunch ideas that are out of the box . . . er, make that brown bag.
7 Questions to Ask Yourself (and Answer Honestly!) Before Buying a Home
Growing up, each of us was taught one lesson that we never forgot: becoming a homeowner is the ultimate American dream. As kids, we assumed that owning a home meant that you're mature, capable of being financially independent, and ready to start your family.
But eventually, we grew up - which shortly led to the realization that life is expensive and homes are, well, even more expensive. Reality Bites isn't just some '90s rom-com, it's also your mind coming to grips with the fact that you need to be ready to buy a six-figure property.
It's easy to say you need to be ready, but what does that even mean?
For a couple of years, I was anti-home-ownership forever. I figured, "Why should I buy a home that may or may not increase in value when I could rent for less and put the extra income I was saving toward investments?" I mean, wouldn't I be better off continuing to rent? I'd be avoiding stressors, like potential repairs, increases in mortgage rates, real estate crashes - the list goes on and on.
So why did I have a sudden change of heart? Was it our leaky fridge, the lack of office space, or the fact that our dinner table sits on white carpet? (I mean, who puts white carpet in an eating area?! How can I trust myself with red wine? Answer: I can't.)
I had to admit, it would be nice to come home to:
- An office.
- A guest bedroom for when friends and family visit from out of town.
- A backyard for my niece to play in.
- A backyard for my future adorable puppies to play in.
- A large enough space to entertain.
- My own everything. Me. Mine. Oh, and my husband's. I guess.
It was time for me to start looking at whether home ownership was something I could truly afford, both financially and mentally. That's when I broke out the checklist. I asked myself the following tough questions to consider when it comes to home ownership. Do you know your answers?
Friends Forever! Tiffani Thiessen and Mario Lopez Reunite With Their Kids
Friends and former Saved by the Bell castmates Mario Lopez and Tiffani Thiessen were all smiles alongside their families at a Num Noms event in LA on Sunday. Mario and his wife, Courtney, snapped pictures with their daughter Gia and son Dominic ("Nico"). Meanwhile, Tiffani brought along her daughter, Harper, who sweetly put her arm around Nico for an Instagram snap. Check out some of the best pictures from the pair's reunion, then see Tiffani's sweet family photos and more of Mario's cute kids.
9 Ways to Create Peace in Your Life When the World Is Pure Chaos
Despite the stress and uncertainty that comes with living in 2017, it's important to remain calm and grounded. That's why our friends at YourTango gave us nine ways to manage our anxiety during tumultuous periods of time.
Yes, the world is crazy right now. But you can cultivate your "inner chill." Here's how.
As Dickens wrote in A Tale of Two Cities in 1859, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness."
Doesn't this ring so true today, too?
There are many views and perceptions for us in this world. If you watch and read the news you may become inundated with the negative, the sensational, the political, and feel incredibly stressed or anxious.
And yet the whole world is not that. There are many great and wonderful acts and human stories. You may have to search for them, but they are so uplifting.
We need to be conscious of what we say to whom, and that the people (and forms of communication) we have in our lives are truthful and transparent. Even the news and movies we watch are conversations.
Sometimes we need to make choices to balance the media meme of violence and negative news with positive and uplifting media. From Falling Awake, Dave Ellis writes, "Moment by moment, we get to choose our conversations and community. What's at stake is enormous - everything we say, hear, watch, listen to, read, and see. No choices are more powerful than these."
Here are nine things you can do on purpose in order to have an extraordinary life - no matter what chaos exists outside of yourself:
- Have a target, a personal mission statement, a life purpose, or a compelling future that draws you toward your desired life.
You can only prefer your future, not demand it. Planning and goal-setting help, but remember that even airplanes are off-target 90 percent of the flight. Lots of mini-adjustments are made to what is occurring in the now.
- Have an uncluttered life.
This includes physical and emotional clutter. Do a clean sweep of unwanted things, and then work on where and with whom you can be "emotionally naked." Work on life's incompletions. It is said that we all come with baggage. A true friend is one that will help you unpack!
- Live in the present.
Sure, you have to envision and think about your future, but it is really unknown and made up. Even your story about the past is just your story. It has been said, "The past is history, the future but a mystery. The present is a gift. That is why it's called the present."
- Create a toleration-free zone.
If there are things that are bugging you, what I call "gnats and nuisances," things you are frustrated by, then follow the guide of "do it, dump it, or delegate it (or delay it)."
By choosing to not tolerate energy drainers, you can take action by doing something to take care of the toleration. Or you can just dump it. That is, forget it about it, especially if there is nothing you can do. Get it off your list. Or you can delegate the challenge. Hire someone who can fix it, or complete a task for you, or take it off your radar. Or delay it. Deal with it later, but don't worry about it today.
Why waste energy on it? The key here is not to deny it and forget to do one of the other strategies. Just give it time and revisit.
- Give yourself extreme self-care.
Be good to yourself. Not just nice, but extreme. Reward yourself with something that gives you energy rather than drains you of energy. Get a foot massage. Go to the beach, the woods, the mountains, or lake. Go out for a special treat. Do this periodically, and you build up reserves!
- Understand the myth of work/life balance.
Have a center point to come back to. Balance is temporary, but a practice of daily centering and coming back to balance creates a more sturdy sense of security.
- Say no and yes with conviction.
When I coach my clients on living their best life, we get to clarify their purpose early on. Then when they have requests from others or demands of the job, they can consider the request of their time and energy.
If it fits with their purpose statements and values, they say yes. If it does not, they say no. Or at least they can say, "Maybe. Let me think about it." You can do the same exact thing. Many people do not tell the truth when others ask them to commit to something or help another, and that lack of naked communication costs them dearly.
- Choose to under-promise and over-deliver.
This is a hallmark of the coaching profession and that of personal or business development. It does not mean to make promises or commitments that are not well-conceived or important. But it does allow one to have some leeway.
For example, if at work, you are asked when you can have a proposal on your supervisor's desk. State you can have it in a week, and deliver in five days. Do this instead of promising something you can't deliver, or that will not be polished and ready for review. I'm sure you can think of many areas in personal or family life where this same strategy can be helpful.
- Respond, do not react.
This is tantamount to living less a stressful life on purpose. As humans, we have a natural, built-in reaction of fight-or-flight. But our evolution also allows us to pause for a brief moment and survey the options that may be available to choose instead of a knee-jerk reaction immediately.
Even first responders and emergency professionals are trained to react with responses available. They quickly ascertain choices based on their training instead of a less-trained person reacting with fear, paralysis, inaction, or unhelpful action.
To design a preferred personal future, you need to have a plan and yet be present to life's natural flow.
Our lives are shaped by incompletions, fears, attachments, addictions, unmet needs, procrastinations, and tolerations. Like barnacles on the hull of a boat, we must have an annual cleaning, at minimum, for smoother sailing.
Clean up your clutter, unfinished business, and wounds. Orient your life around your values and gifts. Be an observer of life. Be curious and learn what you are having the opportunity to learn.
Life is moving forward always, but you cannot step in the same river twice.
Check out more great stories from YourTango:
7 Ingenious – and Humane – Ways to Keep Deer Out of Your Yard
For the uninitiated, the thought of deer prancing about the garden sounds like something out of a fairy tale. But anyone who has experienced deer as pests in their gardens and backyards know that they can cause some major damage to your carefully crafted space. Luckily, there are a couple of things you can do to keep deer out of your garden and send them looking for sources of food elsewhere.
Plant Deer-Resistant Plants
One of the best ways to stop deer from entering your garden from the outset is to fill it with plants they don't like, and this should also be the first step you take. Deer are known to dislike lavender, as the scent makes them vulnerable to predators. Other plants like garlic, marigolds, lamb's ear, poppies, sage, and peonies will make deer stay away, either because of their unpleasant scent or because of their toxic qualities.
Sprinkle Soap
Deer hate soap, and it makes a great deterrent when you sprinkle it around the base of new plants to protect them from nibbling. You can break soap up until little pieces or shavings and sprinkle them around any plants you want to protect, or even make a spray using dish soap. The soap shavings can last up to a month depending on the amount of rain your garden gets.
Use Rotten Eggs
If more pleasant aroma-based deterrents just aren't cutting it, it might be time to pull out the big guns. You can make your own spray using raw eggs (rotten eggs work best) and water and spraying it around your garden and on the plants the deer like the best. Deer can't stand the smell - even as much as humans - so they'll soon move on to greener pastures. Sprays should be reapplied after rainfall, as they'll be washed away.
Build a Deer-Proof Fence
If you don't want deer to dictate the kind of plants you can grow and want a bit more freedom, consider installing a deer-proof fence. It should be at least five feet high and can be made of wood posts and fishing line. The fishing line will be practically invisible to their eyes, so they won't try to jump over the fence into your garden.
Install Motion-Activated Sprinklers
Keep deer out of your yard and your flowers watered regularly with motion-activated sprinklers! Certain sprinkler systems use infrared technology to detect movement, and it's a harmless solution that will scare the deer away whether you're home or not. Some varieties also emit a sound as an added deer repellent.
Get a Dog
We don't recommend getting a dog if you're not ready for one, but dogs are excellent deer deterrents. They're not only good at chasing the deer from your property if they get in, but even the scent of a dog will prevent deer from coming onto your property. If you don't want the full commitment of a new best friend, you can buy products that work by mimicking the scent of dogs, which will keep the deer away just as well.
10 Things People With Good Credit Always Do
Quick: what's your credit score? Don't know? That's a problem. Your credit score is a snapshot of your financial health and can have a far-reaching impact. Nicole Lapin, a financial expert and author of Rich Bitch: A Simple 12-Step Plan For Getting Your Financial Life Together, explains: "It's connected to anything you do with borrowing money - from the rate you get on your credit card to a mortgage or car loan." In addition, Lapin points out, "sometimes employers look at it or landlords before you rent to see how responsible you are."
You knew that, right? But did you know maintaining a good credit score goes beyond avoiding late payments? Or that not using any credit at all can negatively impact your score? With the help of Lapin and Bethy Hardeman, chief consumer advocate for monitoring site Credit Karma, we've discovered the 10 habits of people with good credit.
1. They Have Available Credit - and Don't Use It
Having credit available that you don't use is important. "Credit utilization - the amount of debt on your credit cards divided by all of your credit limits - is a major factor that goes into calculating your credit score," according to Hardeman. "Try to keep your credit card balances under 30 percent, aiming for less if your budget allows it." For example, if you have a total $10,000 credit limit, put less than $3,000 on your cards. This approach will also help you avoid overspending.
If you're confident about your spending habits, you can also call your credit card company and ask them to increase your limit to improve your ratio. If it's increased to $20,000, but you still spend under $3,000, your score will be better off.
Your amounts owed relative to your available credit accounts for about 30 percent of your score. And when a high percentage of your available credit is being used, it signals to credit-reporting agencies that you might soon miss a payment. That being said, you want to use your cards! FICO says that using a small amount of your credit is often better than not using any of your available credit at all.
2. They Never Cut Up Cards
"You might think you need to go cold turkey to beef up your credit score," Lapin explains. Wrong. Even if you're trying to cut back your reliance on credit cards because you've overextended yourself, Lapin suggests keeping a consistent bill on a card, like a utility bill or autopayment, to show that you are a steady payer.
3. They Keep Old Accounts Open
The length of credit history accounts for about 15 percent of your score, according to FICO. To get that number, credit rating agencies average the age of your credit. Say you have two cards. If you've had one card for 15 years and another for five years, your average length would be 10 years.
"Try to keep your credit cards open, as long as you're not paying any annual fees to do so."
"Try to keep your credit cards open, as long as you're not paying any annual fees to do so," Hardeman recommends. If it does come with a fee, go ahead and close it, but open a free card that you can plan to have around forever, putting one or two bills on it. Hardeman explains that a card might "fall off" your credit report because of inactivity in seven to 10 years.
Your old cards will also help keep your credit utilization rate low, because it ups your overall limit, assuming you're able to keep your spending in check.
4. They Pay Bills on Time Every Time
"I know this sounds patronizing, but pay your bills on time," Lapin says. "It's the best thing you can do to start becoming a star student with your financial report card." That means any bill, including your student loan, car payment, or medical bill from your doctor.
According to FICO, your payment history is the most important factor, accounting for 35 percent of your score. The agencies look at: how late you were, the size of the payment, how recently it happened, and how many delinquent marks you have.
5. They Ask For Forgiveness
"If it's the first time you've been late, pay your bill as quickly as possible, and then call your bank," Hardeman advises. "Explain the situation to them and remind them that it's your first time. They may be willing to consider it a fluke and help you. This may help keep a late payment off your credit report, keeping your payment history perfect."
If the delinquency has already hit your credit report, you can ask them to contact credit reporting agencies to correct the mark. You can also ask for a "do-over" if you miss another type of bill - like medical bill or loan payment.
6. They Use Their Credit Cards Like a Debit Card
Just because the credit card company offers a minimum payment doesn't mean you should take them up on it.
In addition to paying your bills on time, it's important to not carry a balance. Just because the credit card company offers a minimum payment doesn't mean you should take them up on it. "Using your credit cards and paying them off in full at the end of the month will show you're using your credit responsibly," Hardeman says. Plus, it avoids expensive interest payments.
People with good credit never put a large payment on their card if they know they can't pay it off in the next 30 days. That means no overextending yourself as you wait for a raise or year-end bonus.
7. They Set Up Direct Payments
I get it. You're busy. So to avoid missing a payment when life gets in the way, take a moment to set up a direct payment of your full monthly credit card balance from your checking account. Do this as soon as you open new accounts. It will also hold you accountable, since you know you can only spend as much as you have in your checking. Hardeman also has this tip: "If you don't like your current due date, you can always call your bank and ask them to change it."
8. They Use Free Credit-Monitoring Services
Credit Karma is a free credit-monitoring service that will give your credit score instantly or send you free reports every week. It also keeps you up to date on all your accounts and the factors that impact your score. You can break your score down by "credit factors" and get a snapshot in how you do in each category (and how important each category is). One of the best things about Credit Karma, in my experience, is that it will email you if something seems wrong. If you miss a payment on accident, for example, you can quickly address it with your credit card company.
With sites like Credit Karma, you can "make sure you know how your credit looks before a lender or landlord takes a look," Hardeman says. She notes that you can also file a dispute for free directly with the credit bureau on Credit Karma if you catch any errors on your credit report.
9. They Aren't Afraid of Opening New Accounts
"My FICO scores will drop if I apply for new credit" is classified as a myth by FICO. Opening new cards does lower your average age of credit, but it also ups the amount of available credit you have. The main thing to avoid is having a lot of money owed on a lot of cards. It indicates overextension.
Consumers worry too much about about hard inquiries.
Hardeman believes consumers worry too much about about hard inquiries. She explains that "hard inquiries generally occur when a bank or lender checks your credit report to make a lending decision. You typically authorize them to take a look at your credit report as a part of the application." While hard inquiries can lower your credit score, Hardeman admits, it generally only drops by a few points. "Remember that hard inquiries make up only 10 percent of your total credit score."
10. They Don't Rush to Pay Off Their Loans
People with good credit aren't scared of student loans, car payments, or mortgages. In fact, they know a healthy mix of credit types, including planned installment loans, can help your score. It signals that you are reliable, and it helps build your history. Hardeman says it's simple: "Using credit responsibly will help you build a positive credit score."
Now that you know these 10 secrets, you're on the way to building a strong score, too.
After Nearly 3 Decades, Disney's Great Movie Ride Is Closing
As Walt Disney World continues to expand Hollywood Studios, many beloved rides are being closed to make room for incoming attractions. Among them is The Great Movie Ride. On July 25, Disney confirmed that the classic dark ride will be replaced by Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway in the coming year.
Though rumors circulated for nearly a year, Disney made a more formal announcement at the D23 Expo by introducing The Great Movie Ride's replacement. According to WDW News Today, Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway will also be a dark ride in which guests will be transported into the world of an animated short.
Following the D23 Expo, the company announced a special after-hours event to commemorate the departing ride. Though the event was held on July 28, The Great Movie Ride will remain open until Aug. 13. Disney is also selling limited-edition merchandise in honor of the ride that reads, "That's a wrap!"
Hollywood Studios is home to many exciting attractions and thrill rides, however, The Great Movie Ride has been a fixture since the park opened in 1989. Located within a replica of Grauman's Chinese Theatre, it's also one of the first things visitors see upon entering the park. Disney has not yet disclosed any plans about changing the iconic facade.
Queen Letizia Wears Outfits No Other Royal Could Pull Off - You'll Want to See Them!
It might only be March, but when you're a queen, you have to start the year strong, pulling out the best your wardrobe can offer from the get-go - and that's exactly what Queen Letizia of Spain has been doing.
The journalist-turned-royal, who normally likes to wear the same classic pieces time and time again, has been showing off some new additions to her wardrobe. It all started with an embellished Felipe Varela teal gown you need to see from the side, moving then to a new office-ready tweed dress and most recently a layered look a fashion stylist would clap for. Keep reading to see those and more outfits Queen Letizia has expertly worn this year so far.
Dr. Harvey Karp Thinks He Knows What May Lead to Autism in Some Children
In the years since the link between autism and vaccines was proven to be based on fraudulent data, study after study has proven that vaccines are not to blame for autism spectrum disorders. But what they haven't done is explain what does cause the disorders and why the number of children diagnosed each year is skyrocketing.
At a Healthy Child Healthy World and Environmental Working Group luncheon designed to raise awareness about pollutants in our food and environment, Dr. Harvey Karp - the pediatrician probably best known for his wildly popular The Happiest Baby series of parenting guides - turned to the topic on many parents minds and addressed concerns about autism.
He said:
"Something has changed and we all know about all this discussion about immunizations and is it mercury in immunizations, all this kind of stuff. Doesn't seem so. Lots of studies [are] being done now, as much as you can know something in science, [and] we know that immunizations are really good and they're not associated with autism.
So the question is: well then what is going on? And there's two explanations currently. One is that we're just calling things autism that we didn't used to call autism - there's a shift in diagnosis. That clearly has happened; it might be attributed, maybe, to half of the cases. But, it seems that there's another half of cases that never existed before, that are new and that shouldn't be happening. And so, we have to ask ourselves why.
And one theory, is it's an exposure to a certain class of chemicals that are called endocrine disrupting chemicals . . . It turns out that there are many different types of chemicals that are endocrine disrupting chemicals that are in plasticized plastic. You've heard of BPA, that's an endocrine disrupting chemical. BPA was first created to be an estrogen. Then they found they could put it into plastics. Every single one of you have BPA in your bodies just from all the exposure you have. You have phthalates, which are plastic parts, as well which are in every new car...things like that. All of those have a hormonal effect and there are dozens of others; all different classes. The weird thing is that hormones are signalers, they tell cells 'Do this, don't do that' and what can happen is these hormonally active chemicals make it into the brains of young babies or even before birth and shift the brain's development.
The reason I think that this could be related to autism is because it's something that isn't split evenly between boys and girls. Boys get more autism, boys get 4 times more autism, they're diagnosed 9 times more with Asperger's Syndrome. So it could be that if we just pushed it a little bit further, that may be the reason that we're seeing this increase. I don't know the answer, but I do know that we have to find the answer. Scientists are looking for that now, but we need to do more research on it."
So just what is BPA and why did it seep into our kids' brains?
According to the EWG, it was invented 120 years ago and was most recently used to manufacture hard plastic water bottles, baby bottles, and epoxy linings of metal food cans. "BPA can mimic the hormone estrogen in the body and disrupt the endocrine system, a danger to developing humans and animals." In 2009, studies showing that BPA was leaching out of baby bottles and infant formula cans and into humans pressured leading bottle manufacturers to stop using the chemicals in their manufacturing processes, and over the next year, most states banned the use of BPA in children's products, but it is still used in many canned foods. But according to Dr. Karp, BPA's replacement, BPS, may be just as dangerous. A recent study shows that "in utero exposure to BPS might lead to neurodevelopmental disorders later in life" and "that male hormones might be particularly disturbed by this abnormal cell development."
So what's a parent to do?
BPS is not clearly marked on products and can actually be found in BPA-free products. According to The Soft Landing, parents will want to:
- Steer clear of any plastic containers marked with #7. These BPA-free products appear to be made with BPS.
- Eat as many fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables as possible. Cans used for canned fruits and veggies can be lined in BPA and BPS.
- Choose silicone storage products. They're BPA and BPS free.
- Sign up for EWG's alerts that will keep you up to date on all the latest studies and findings.
How to Stay Focused in a World Full of Distractions
We all know that the key to success in anything is focus and discipline. And while we do our best to stay focused, it is becoming more and more difficult to do so without some type of distraction getting in our way. Whether it's work/life balance, social media, coworkers, news, gossip, Beyoncé, or Kim Kardashian, it seems that our brains can't get a break to do what they know they need to do. The following are 10 ways to stay focused in a world full of distractions.
1. Put Your To-Dos in Writing
Many times, we allow our priorities to fall by the wayside because we don't fully realize how much is on our plate. If we knew from the very start what our workload was, we would spend less time allowing distractions to distract us. It is important that you put your to-dos in writing. Break down your day so you know what needs to be done by when and so that your to-dos don't sneak up on you.
2. Use Your Phone to Keep You Honest With Time
Even if you have your to-dos in writing, you may still find yourself distracted by other things. In that case, use your phone to set up reminders throughout the day so you know if you are on time with your deliverables or not. If half the day is over and you are not done with half of your to-dos, then it's time to pick up the speed a little.
3. Unplug Completely
Most distractions come from online sources like email and social media. Regain some focus by going completely offline until you've completely finished the most important or difficult items on your to-do list. Enlist a partner to help you with this just in case there are emergencies. List your partner as a backup or include them in an auto-reply so if something really needs your attention, they can come get you.
4. Turn Off Notifications
If unplugging completely is not possible, try turning off notifications. Many times, the alerts are what distract us the most and kill our groove. Turn off notifications so that you are not distracted by that Instagram comment or Facebook tag.
5. Take a Break
Being bored with what you're doing or doing something for an extended period of time can really take a toll on your focus. Instead of trying to power through, take a break to reinvigorate your mind. Go for a stroll outside, do some push-ups, or simply stand up and do a lap around your office. You'll be surprised at how much a break can help you gain more clarity.
6. Listen to Music
I'm not sure of the exact science related to listening to music, but I work alongside quite a few incredible people who do so on the daily because it helps them focus their minds. Some swear by classical music (like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart) to focus their minds, and others lean more toward chill electronic (like Odesza). For me, however, I tend to find myself listening to a slower Top 40 Hits track when I need to focus. (In fact, I'm listening to Shawn Mendes's "Treat You Better" as I type this.) It's really just a matter of finding the genre that works the best for you. And no matter what style of music you choose, be sure to use headphones so that while you focus, you also signal to others that you are not available to chat.
7. Give Yourself More to Do
I know what you're thinking: how can having more to do make me focus better? Actually, it's not really giving you more to do but taking your big to-do list and breaking it down into smaller parts. When you are having a hard time focusing, smaller tasks help you concentrate and trick you into believing you are accomplishing a lot. It's also very motivating when you're able to continuously cross items off your list.
8. Log Off of Social Media Sites
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat are all addictive. Instead of giving yourself easy access to the distraction, log off of these sites so that you are intentional about what time you spend on social media. Sometimes the lack of easy access can serve as a great tool for better concentration.
9. Make Focus a Team Effort
Coworkers can sometimes serve as the biggest distraction throughout the day, and ignoring them or asking them to leave you alone might not be the best social thing to do. So instead of being reactive to their distraction, make sure they know ahead of time that you need uninterrupted time. Also, use headphones (even if you are not listening to anything) while you travel throughout the office. This can greatly decrease the stop-and-chats in the hallway.
10. Meditate and Stay Centered
Lastly, try meditation. Sometimes quieting the mind and getting centered can give your brain the boost it needs to get your job done. The great thing about meditation is that you can do it from anywhere. All you need to do is count your breath or repeat your mantra. Meditation done the right way can sometimes be better than taking a nap, and all you need is 10-20 minutes. Not to mention, meditation and money may also have a connection to help you improve your finances.
Luvleen Sidhu is the president, cofounder, and chief strategy officer at BankMobile, the largest and fastest growing digital bank in the country helping the underbanked, millennials, and middle-income Americans have an affordable, effortless, and financially empowering banking experience.
The Old-School Exercise Video That Transformed My Abs
In 1995, Jaime Brenkus had millions of fitness fanatics snuggled into their spandex shorts and scrunchies as he promised chiseled abs in just eight minutes. Now, decades later, I'm here to tell you that he was not lying: abs can be made in under 10 minutes, and you don't even have to wear a scrunchie (although, we have heard they're making a comeback). You're probably wondering why in a world with millions of fitness bloggers, workout apps, and easy Instagram workout posts I would choose to Marty McFly my way back to the '90s, and long story short, Brenkus said it himself: "All the exercises are safe, effective, fun, and they work!"
If we're being honest here, there's no inspirational story behind why I chose 8 Minute Abs; in fact, it's pretty much the opposite. About two years ago, when I had finally dropped those college pounds, I wanted abs. I wanted rock-hard, chiseled abs, but I did not want to put in the work. If I were an artist, I probably would've drawn them on because I was so desperate for some muscle definition, but YouTube was way more accessible than a paintbrush anyway.
I didn't want to download an app and have to sift through tons of options on my tiny phone screen, and I most definitely didn't want to aimlessly do crunches at the gym. I wanted a quick, efficient, one-stop shop for abs, and 8 Minute Abs was just that. I had tried the notorious eight-minute program once before in high school, but this time, I was ready to take it seriously, even if it was my lazy option. Brenkus opens the video with a catchy "HEY GANG!" and his energy levels remain just as high the entire eight minutes. (Good luck trying not to giggle every time you hear him!)
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Perri Konecky
The program is made of nine movements, 45 seconds each, and you will work all areas of your abs. You don't have to worry about opening a new tab for your oblique exercises or scrolling all the way down to find the lower-ab tutorial, because Brenkus covers it all. With some funky elevator music, he talks viewers through basic crunches, right oblique crunches, left oblique crunches ("lift your body up and over, up and over"), toe touches, reverse crunches, right-side crunches, left-side crunches, push-throughs, leg pushes, alternating curls ("we're workin' those love handles"), and curls.
Maybe it's his encouraging voice or his ability to predict exactly when I need to be reminded to "look up to the ceiling," but let me tell you, this works. I was doing 8 Minute Abs five times a week for a few months, and I most definitely saw results. I never understood how it was possible to change the appearance of my body in under 10 minutes, but consistency is key.
At the time when I was doing 8 Minute Abs, my workouts consisted of cardio as well, typically 45 to 60 minutes on the elliptical. Everyone builds muscle differently, but with little belly fat, I saw results within the first three weeks. And is there any better motivation than seeing results?!
While I sadly memorized the entire video, Brenkus's final words leave me chuckling every damn time I hear them. "You did a great job - I'll see you in 24 hours!" And he most definitely did.
The Mysterious and Dramatic End to Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie's Friendship
Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie were best friends for what felt like forever. The two grew up together in Hollywood and even starred in their own reality TV show, The Simple Life, from 2003 until 2007. But as friendships sometimes go, the two drifted apart, or, more specifically, really started hating each other out of nowhere. For Nicole and Paris, it all went down in early 2005 when they abruptly stopped speaking. While it's still unclear what led to their brief falling out, it was rumored that Nicole showed Paris's infamous sex tape at a party celebrating Paris's February 2005 Saturday Night Live hosting gig. Although their friendship never seemed to return to what it once was, Nicole and Paris appear to be on good terms now.
- April 2005: Paris spoke out about their rift for the first time in a statement, saying, "It's no big secret that Nicole and I are no longer friends. Nicole knows what she did, and that's all I'm ever going to say about it."
- November 2005: Nicole later stopped by the Today show and briefly discussed their feud, saying that she and Paris "just grew apart" and that it "just turned into a much bigger thing than it is." "It's just not part of my life," she said. Nicole also addressed reports that Paris was trying to replace her on The Simple Life with Kimberly Stewart, saying, "That was never going to happen."
- October 2006: Nicole and Paris appeared to put their feud to rest when they were spotted having dinner together at LA restaurant Dan Tana's. "They looked like best friends to me," a fellow diner told People. "It seemed as if they had never gotten into a fight. They were laughing really loud and seemed more than happy to be together. There wasn't a slow moment in their conversation - they chatted non-stop. They left hand-in-hand, smiling." Paris's publicist, Elliot Mintz, also released a statement to the publication, saying, "They had a meal last night. It's not my place to say what was discussed or the nature of the meal. But it's a good thing when people have a meal together." When asked if they were best friends again, Elliot replied, "I wouldn't characterize it that way because I don't know if it was a business or personal discussion. Let's just watch it unfold."
The ladies finally reconciled on the fifth season of The Simple Life: Goes to Camp. In the season's first episode, the duo re-created their real-life reconciliation and hugged it out. "I don't even know why we're fighting. I think it's just the tabloids," Paris told Nicole, to which Nicole replied, "I just want to let you know half the things that the tabloids said that I said were not true."
- December 2010: Nicole tied the knot with Good Charlotte frontman Joel Madden, and Paris was noticeably absent. Despite various reports, Paris was invited to the wedding, but she had another commitment. "This was planned months ago," a source told E! News. "Paris sent Nicole and Joel a wedding gift to congratulate them and wishes them both the best."
- July 2014: During a stop on Watch What Happens Live, Nicole told Andy Cohen that she has nothing but love for Paris. "Paris is somebody that's been in my life since day one," she said. "An idea of a true friend is somebody that's going to be there with you through and through . . . I haven't spoken to her in a while, but we are very good friends. I love her and I love her family. I have a lot of respect for her."
- April 2015: Paris celebrated Throwback Thursday on Instagram with a childhood snap of her and Nicole dressed up as Tinker Bell. "#Tinkerbells ✨🌟👯🌟✨ #RIPTinkerbell ✨🐺✨ #TBT," she captioned it.
- November 2016: While promoting her perfume Gold Rush in Australia, Paris couldn't help but gush about Nicole in an interview, saying, "(Nicole) is literally the funniest person I've ever met in my whole life. She's always cracking me up."
ANTM Contestants: Where Are They Now?
America's Next Top Model contestants: where are they now? You asked, we researched, so why not take a look back at some of Tyra's protégés? We've put our sleuthing caps on to find out what they're up to these days - and we've added updates from recent cycles. Read on to see what some of your favorite (and not-so-favorite) models are up to now that they're no longer in the running to be America's next top model.
- Additional reporting by Maria Del Russo and Kaitlyn Dreyling
20 New Beauty Launches You Need in Your Stash This Summer
As warm weather approaches, we're packing up our sweaters and heavy coats and swapping them for our sundresses and shorts. But just like we're a little bored of last year's Summer styles, we're yearning to add new beauty swag to this season's stash. Thankfully, there's plenty of fabulous new launches to choose from! From a coconut oil self-tanning balm to an at-home dip powder gel set, keep reading to see everything we'll be stocking up on for Summer 2017.
This Woman's Hair Colorist May Have Saved Her Life
We have a story for you to think about the next time you consider letting your ends grow out. Eileen Corey is the former Health Correspondent for WKYC in Cleveland, OH. Back in the 1980s, she was beloved not only for her helpful reports, but also for her fiery red hair, which was somewhat of a local media trademark.
Although she's moved on from the station, Corey still keeps her color fresh through monthly appointments with her stylist, Kari Phillips. Since Phillips has been doing Corey's hair for over 15 years, it's safe to say that she's an expert when it comes to her client's head. But at their last appointment, Phillips noticed a mole she hadn't seen before on Corey's hairline.
Luckily, Phillips's sister is a dermatologist who has educated her on the symptoms of skin cancer. Phillips went with her gut and urged Corey to get the mark checked out. It turned out to be melanoma.
Because Corey acted quickly, Phillips will only need surgery to remove the mole - no chemo or radiation is necessary. Now, she's urging all stylists to be on the lookout for their clients' health.
Phillips's dermatologist Dr. Pam Davis agrees, but says you don't need to wait until your next cut or color to look. According to Dr. Davis, the best time to check for suspicious spots is right after you shower, because its easier to see when you hair is wet.
If you think you may have a cancerous mole, talk to your doctor immediately.
Carpool Karaoke Teases the Stark Sisters Reunion You've Been Waiting For
After becoming an internet sensation among viewers of The Late Late Show, Carpool Karaoke is getting its own series on Apple Music called Carpool Karaoke: The Series. While the segment's mastermind James Corden won't be the driver for all of the segments, the series actually lets other celebrities take control of the wheel as they travel to meaningful places from their past to surprise fans. As the premiere date quickly approaches, Apple has blessed us with yet another look at the celebrity guests. Not only do the Stark sisters, aka Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner, reunite, but Miley Cyrus also brings along her entire clan for a family road trip. See all the sneak peeks before the series officially drops on Aug. 8.
5 Exciting Details About Netflix's New Serial Killer Thriller, Mindhunter
If you were to mix the dark, menacing vibes of House of Cards with FBI procedural Criminal Minds, your result might be something similar to Netflix's latest original show, Mindhunter. House of Cards executive producer David Fincher is heading up the show, which is based on the 1995 book by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker, Mind Hunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit (which also inspired characters in the films Red Dragon and The Silence of the Lambs). From the major players who have signed on to the series to when you'll officially be able to start obsessing over it, check out everything we know about Mindhunter below.
The Story
Although the Mind Hunter book follows the accounts of real-life Special Agent John Douglas over the course of his 25-year career, the TV version of Mindhunter will focus on fictional FBI agents. Set in 1979, season one follows FBI Agents Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) and Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) as they interview convicted serial killers in order to help them solve current murders.
The Cast
Glee and Looking alum Groff will play one of the show's leads, FBI agent Holden Ford, opposite Sully actor McCallany as Holden's superior. Rounding out the cast are Fringe's Anna Torv, The Americans actor Cotter Smith, and Unless star Hannah Gross.
The Production Team
If you were hoping the creative forces behind Mindhunter had résumés packed with dark and twisted projects, you're in luck. Episode directors include creator Fincher (who's responsible for films like Gone Girl and Zodiac, FYI), as well as Andrew Douglas (The Amityville Horror) and Asif Kapadia (Amy). Charlize Theron is also on board as an executive producer, making this her second show at the streaming giant behind Girlboss.
The Trailer
The Premiere Date
Prepare to get majorly creeped out when the show hits Netflix on Oct. 13.
The Jump Rope and Strength-Training HIIT Workout You've Been Waiting For
Don't be fooled into thinking you need a gym full of equipment to get a tough workout under your belt. All you really need is a jump rope and your own body to get a sweat on, as proved to us by celebrity trainer and fitness expert Amanda Kloots. She created an HIIT workout for POPSUGAR that incorporates both jump rope cardio and bodyweight strength training. No dumbbells required. And the best part is it takes less than half an hour!
The Workout
- Start with a jump rope warmup.
- Go through circuit one, which focuses on your abs.
- Repeat the jump rope warmup, only this time it will serve as your cardio segment.
- Go through circuit two, which is all about the legs.
- Repeat the jump rope cardio segment one more time.
90 Songs You Need to Listen to Before Going to Lollapalooza This Year
Lollapalooza has come a long way. The music festival began as a nationwide tour in the early '90s for bands like Jane's Addiction and Nine Inch Nails and has managed to morph into one of the most popular annual celebrations of music in the world. This year's lineup is a perfect example of that, featuring an eclectic mix of big names from every genre (Muse, Lorde, Chance the Rapper, Migos, blink-182, The Killers, and Arcade Fire are just the tip of the iceberg, to be honest).
To get you ready for Lolla, which kicks off in Chicago's Grant Park this year on August 3, we've taken the liberty of arranging the perfect pump-up playlist, featuring hits from nearly every act performing at the festival this year.
Billie Lourd on Healing After Her Mother's Death: "Now I Get to Be Just Billie"
Billie Lourd is making a name for herself in Hollywood with her roles in Scream Queens and the upcoming season of American Horror Story, but she knows she has some big shoes to fill. Following the tragic losses of her mother, Carrie Fisher, and grandmother Debbie Reynolds, the actress is trying her best to carry on their legacies and ultimately make one of her own. In her first interview since their deaths, Billie opened up to Town & Country in its September issue about fame, mental illness, and how for the first time, she feels like she can finally be herself. See her best quotes ahead.
These Are the 28 Hottest New Beauty Launches For August
Last chance for Summer love . . . and snagging a warm-weather product! As we close out the easy, breezy season, we are sharing some of our favorite launches hitting shelves this month. Keep reading for the matte liquid lipstick everyone has fallen in love with, the best concealer with SPF, and the self-tanner kit to end all self-tanner kits.
Meet the New Wave of Country Music Power Couples
Tim and Faith aren't going anywhere soon, but that doesn't mean a new crop of coupled-up country musicians can't rise up to join 'em. These pairs are not only talented, they are adorably gushy about just how much they love each other. Whether they're writing songs about their romance or just looking really cute together on the red carpet, they are starry-eyed, boot-wearin' relationship goals. Meet the new wave of country music power couples!
In Case You've Been Wondering, This Is How Old Jason Momoa Is
You might often find yourself getting lost in Jason Momoa's Instagram feed (or his shirtless body) and asking yourself, "How old is Jason? Do I have a chance?" Well, let us help you out there. First off, the Aquaman hunk was born on August 1, 1979, making him 37 years old. Secondly, we hate to break it to you, but you probably don't stand a chance given that he's married to Lisa Bonet and the couple are the proud parents of two kids, Lola, 9, and Nakoa-Wolf, 8. Still, it doesn't hurt to admire him from afar, right?
The Bachelorette's "Men Tell All" Special Confronts Racist Contestant Lee Garrett
Now that the dust surrounding Bachelor in Paradise's high-profile controversy has settled, Bachelor Nation tackled another uncomfortable situation on Monday night during The Bachelorette's "Men Tell All" special. Back in June, it was revealed that one of the men competing for Rachel Lindsay's heart, Lee Garrett, had tweeted a string of racist and sexist remarks throughout 2015 and 2016. Since Lindsay is the first black Bachelorette in the show's history, the revelation was made that much worse, and Garrett was forced to address his comments during the special two-hour episode.
"It's a hard thing to say that you were, or are, a racist," host Chris Harrison said before sharing Garrett's tweets with the audience, including one that read, "What's the difference between the NAACP and the KKK? Wait for it.....One has the sense of shame to cover their racist ass faces." Garrett attempted to skirt around his past comments, but the tweets naturally brought about some harsh responses from several of his fellow contestants, including Bachelor in Paradise alum DeMario Jackson and 28-year-old prosecuting attorney Josiah Graham, both of whom are black.
"Why did you come on the show where the Bachelorette was African-American?" Graham asked Garrett. "If, on the other hand, you're tweeting about black people and groups of black people who fought and died so I can be on the stage next to you. People came before me so that I can go to the same school like you, so I can drink from the fountain like you, and if you're comparing them to the KKK, people who hanged my ancestors - why are you trying to date a woman who looks like me?"
At first it seemed like Garrett wasn't going to own up to his tweets, but eventually he acknowledged what he'd done and apologized. "I completely denounce that, and I denounce that Lee," he said. "I want to learn . . . I'm sorry for saying things when I was not educated and ignorant in those subjects. That tweet was racist and I denounce it."
Lindsay herself also appeared on the special, where she explained why she didn't find out about the tweets immediately since filming The Bachelorette is like living in a bubble. "I'm not in the house, and I only know what's happening right in front of me, so to sit back and see things that I've never seen before, it's very enlightening," she told Harrison. "I'm black. I knew it would be something to talk about, but it wasn't something that we had to continually go on and on and on about when I had the relationship with the men, which I appreciated. They were trying to get to know me. Race wasn't an issue for me as I was going through the season. No one made me feel when I was with them one-on-one a certain way."
She also addressed Garrett directly, saying how he threw away an opportunity to be surrounded by a diverse group of people. "I hope that in watching it back, you realize that you were a part of something so great," she said. "But in case you didn't, please know that you can exit stage left and meet me backstage, and I will be more than happy to give you a black history lesson, a lesson on women's rights."
Next week's three-hour episode of The Bachelorette will reveal who Lindsay decides to gift the final rose - Eric Bigger, Bryan Abasolo, or Peter Kraus - and hopefully afterward, she'll live happily ever after and likely forget Garrett ever existed.
Alessandra Ambrosio Wore the 1 Monokini You Need to Show Off Your Curves
If you're after the monokini trend, look no further than Alessandra Ambrosio's display of chicness while vacationing with her girlfriends in Saint-Tropez. Back in the Summer, the Brazilian Victoria's Secret Angel posted an Instagram video featuring a peek at the Henna Blues Monokini One-Piece ($180) from her Ále by Alessandra swimwear collection.
Although we're understandably in awe of the fact that she's partying by a hot tub on a boat (seriously), we need a moment to take in how perfect the swimsuit she's wearing actually is. Adorned with a fun paisley pattern and edgy cutouts, the purple-hued suit is one that will never go out of style and always flatter your figure. Press play above to see it in action. Then, check out even more similar styles.
Game of Thrones: How Lady Olenna and Jaime Lannister Really Felt About That Scene
The following contains spoilers for Game of Thrones season seven.
There have been more than a few memorable deaths on Game of Thrones, but leave it to Lady Olenna to be a badass in her final moments. Right after Jaime Lannister pours some poison into a glass of wine for her to drink, Lady Olenna reveals that she killed his son, Joffrey, leaving him speechless. Her shocking speech is the cherry on top of a truly incredible scene, and actors Diana Rigg and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau spoke to People about filming that moment together.
Rigg said she's happy viewers don't actually see her last moments. "It's a beautiful scene, and Nikolaj is wonderful," she said. "When it's well-written, it's a joy to do. And you don't get an awful a lot of always-brilliant writing on television, do you?"
Meanwhile, Coster-Waldau called it a "great scene." Of the plot, he said, "It's such a great surprise that suddenly they go there and the Lannisters actually were smarter than Tyrion, which was really cool." He added that it was an "honor" to be part of that scene with Rigg. "She's given so much to the show with the character, just amazing," he said. "And of course both on and off set, she's wonderful and she's so smart and so clever and she's just a brilliant actress. I was very lucky to be there."
According to Rigg, it was business as usual on set after they filmed her death scene. She joked, "No sooner as I die then it was on to the next scene! It's pretty pell‑mell on the set. They have a huge schedule and they have to get a move on."
Channing Tatum's Daughter Asked to Watch a "Real Movie" After He Showed Her Step Up
Step Up is the reason Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan have a real-life love story, but it turns out their daughter couldn't care less. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday, the actor revealed that his 4-year-old, Everly, was not impressed with her parents' 2006 film. Even though they thought she would love it with all the dancing, she got pretty bored pretty fast. "Within 10 seconds, she was like, 'Can I watch a real movie? I don't know, like a good one?'" he told the host. "I'm like, 'What do you mean? This is a real movie! This is such a real movie! They made like seven more of these!'" If it's any consolation, we can't get enough of the movie and the couple's sexy dance moves.
What's Better Than 1 Noomi Rapace? Watch the What Happened to Monday Trailer and Find Out
For any Orphan Black fans mourning the sci-fi drama's final season, Netflix is here to help. The streaming network has another inventive futuristic feature film in the works titled What Happened to Monday, starring Noomi Rapace, Willem Dafoe, and Glenn Close. If the cast alone isn't enough to convince you to watch it (it was for me, to be honest), then you'll be happy to know that Rapace stars as identical septuplets - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - who must live in hiding in a world where families are limited to one child due to overpopulation.
Their father (Dafoe) allows them out of the house only on the day corresponding with their name, so they maintain only one public identity. The government picks up on the scam, however, and when Monday doesn't return home after her day out, her sisters have to band together to save her. Watch the trailer above, and catch it when it hits Netflix on Aug. 18.
It's Clear That Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner Make Each Other Incredibly Happy
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas threw everyone for a loop when they were spotted cuddling at the MTV EMAs in November, but now that the initial shock of their romance has worn off, we have to admit: they're pretty darn adorable together. While the fashionable couple has yet to make things red carpet official, they have shown off their sweet bond on various occasions. Not to mention, they love to have fun with the cameras. Whether they're practicing their kick-boxing or giving important hints about their love life, we can't get enough of the silly, fun-filled romance between the Game of Thrones star and the singer. See their best moments together ahead.
11 Things Our Food Editors Are Shopping For August
A new month means an excuse to treat yourself with new products - at least, that's our philosophy. This August, we editors have our eyes on canned cocktails, iced-tea accessories, new frozen pizzas for dinner in a pinch, and new cookware that's worth the splurge. Ahead, shop our picks for more than 10 of the best food products you'll want to add to your cart, too.
16 Songs That Are Going to Be on Repeat All Summer Long
Summertime sadness? We think not! The songs on this playlist are guaranteed to make anyone want to get up and bust a move. Start thinking about what outfits you are going to wear to all those pool parties and BBQs this Summer while you jam these songs. We are giving you a little Daddy Yankee, a little Shakira, and even a little Selena Gomez - what's better than that? We have a mix of everything, and if these songs aren't already on your playlist, then start taking notes.
40 Jams You Need For the Perfect Summer 2017 Soundtrack
It's hard to believe that Summer is nearly over, but we're not letting the next month go by without making the most of it. Whether you're soaking up the sun before heading back to school or just grinding at the office every week to make it to a blissful "Summer Friday," we're all going to need the perfect playlist to help us keep the good vibes going. Below are some of the best jams out at the moment, and as the sunshine keeps on giving us those tan lines, we'll make sure to add some more tunes to our Spotify playlist for you (scroll all the way to the bottom to listen to it!).
HBO Dropped a Subtle Hint About Who Daenerys Will End Up With on Game of Thrones
If you're a Game of Thrones fan, then you likely fall into one of two camps when it come to the weird relationship between Daenerys Targaryen and Ser Jorah Mormont: you love it, or you really, really hate it.
Jorah, who is much older than the Dragon Queen in both the books and the TV adaptation, has professed his love for Dany before, but she repeatedly rejects his advances in favor of the more age-appropriate Daario Naharis, much to Jorah's dismay. And who could blame her? Their dynamic is only slightly less creepy than the one between Sansa and Littlefinger (which is saying something). (Can you guess which camp I'm in?) Once Jorah gets infected with greyscale, however, she puts aside their ups and downs and orders Jorah to find a cure so he can return to her.
Jorah's hope for finding something to stop his progression into one of the stone men is all but over at the Citadel before Sam performs one seriously disgusting operation on him, but before that happens, we get a glimpse at the emotionally raw goodbye letter he's in the midst of writing to his beloved Khaleesi. Since the camera glazes over his words too fast in the scene, HBO helpfully released an image of the full letter on its Making Game of Thrones blog.
In all of its heartbreaking glory, it reads:
Khaleesi,
I came to the Citadel in the last hope that the maesters could treat me, as you ordered. Even with all their arts, I am beyond any cure but the grave. I have had a longer life than I deserved, and I only wish I could've lived to see the world you're going to build, standing by your side. I have loved you since the moment I met you.
Now, Jorah is still the dude who got banished from his own family home for selling Westerosi as slaves across the sea, so he's not suddenly a saint. But . . . BUT . . . this heartfelt letter did make my opinion of him go up a few notches. With Dany and Jon Snow's meeting already set in stone (er, Dragonstone), it stands to reason that the show could be setting them up for a love connection. Then again, this letter seems significant enough to speculate that a romance between Jorah and Dany is in the works. Crazier things have certainly happened.
On the Prowl? 50+ Iconic Anthems to Play When You're Feeling Flirty
Everyone has a song that gets them going the second it hits their ear - it takes less than 10 seconds for a flirty, sexy, naughty vibe to take over - which makes these tunes perfect for pregaming and turning up with your besties on the weekends. Of course there are recent hits like "Work From Home" and "Anaconda," but it's also worth highlighting how hard it is to resist winding your hips to old-school jams like "I'm a Slave 4 U" and "Milkshake." We're going even further back with sexy songs from the '80s and '90s, too. Scroll through for some seriously steamy nostalgia!
If You Always Run to the Bathroom at the Worst Time During Movies, You Need This App
Image Source: StockSnap / Felix Mooneeram
There's always that struggle of needing to go to the bathroom during a movie but not wanting to miss the best scenes. I personally experience this problem as a frequent movie-goer, so I know not to drink anything before a lengthy film. But when I go to theaters that serve food and alcohol, it's not like I'm not going to enjoy myself. But that also means having to pee every 20 minutes and missing several crucial scenes, like I did during the Power Rangers reboot.
After the movie (which was great by the way, despite what others may have told you), I realized that I missed some key moments when I couldn't figure out what a friend was referencing. Dammit, I was peeing then. And that's when he told me to download the RunPee app, a free app dedicated to telling you which times during a movie are ideal for a bathroom break. That means no more returning to rolling credits or missing the juiciest parts!
The RunPee team goes to the earliest showing possible (usually the Thursday night on opening day), so the app is always up to date. If no one is available to attend, the times will be posted by 2 p.m. (PST) on that Friday at the latest. And sometimes if it's a popular blockbuster, they'll even have that information up before the release date.
How does it work?
Each movie includes several "recommended peetimes" with the exact quote to cue you, as well as an approximate time window to let you know how long you have. If you tap the clock icon near the top right corner, you can set a timer as soon as the movie begins. You'll be notified with a vibration when it's time to go! To avoid receiving false alarms from texts, it's suggested that you put your phone on airplane mode so that the app is the only alert you get.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Nicole Yi
The user even includes a brief and usually humorous reason for they selected that particular slot for you. It's pretty freaking cool!
40 Jams You Need For the Perfect Summer 2017 Soundtrack
It's hard to believe that Summer is nearly over, but we're not letting the next month go by without making the most of it. Whether you're soaking up the sun before heading back to school or just grinding at the office every week to make it to a blissful "Summer Friday," we're all going to need the perfect playlist to help us keep the good vibes going. Below are some of the best jams out at the moment, and as the sunshine keeps on giving us those tan lines, we'll make sure to add some more tunes to our Spotify playlist for you (scroll all the way to the bottom to listen to it!).
HBO Dropped a Subtle Hint About Who Daenerys Will End Up With on Game of Thrones
If you're a Game of Thrones fan, then you likely fall into one of two camps when it come to the weird relationship between Daenerys Targaryen and Ser Jorah Mormont: you love it, or you really, really hate it.
Jorah, who is much older than the Dragon Queen in both the books and the TV adaptation, has professed his love for Dany before, but she repeatedly rejects his advances in favor of the more age-appropriate Daario Naharis, much to Jorah's dismay. And who could blame her? Their dynamic is only slightly less creepy than the one between Sansa and Littlefinger (which is saying something). (Can you guess which camp I'm in?) Once Jorah gets infected with greyscale, however, she puts aside their ups and downs and orders Jorah to find a cure so he can return to her.
Jorah's hope for finding something to stop his progression into one of the stone men is all but over at the Citadel before Sam performs one seriously disgusting operation on him, but before that happens, we get a glimpse at the emotionally raw goodbye letter he's in the midst of writing to his beloved Khaleesi. Since the camera glazes over his words too fast in the scene, HBO helpfully released an image of the full letter on its Making Game of Thrones blog.
In all of its heartbreaking glory, it reads:
Khaleesi,
I came to the Citadel in the last hope that the maesters could treat me, as you ordered. Even with all their arts, I am beyond any cure but the grave. I have had a longer life than I deserved, and I only wish I could've lived to see the world you're going to build, standing by your side. I have loved you since the moment I met you.
Now, Jorah is still the dude who got banished from his own family home for selling Westerosi as slaves across the sea, so he's not suddenly a saint. But . . . BUT . . . this heartfelt letter did make my opinion of him go up a few notches. With Dany and Jon Snow's meeting already set in stone (er, Dragonstone), it stands to reason that the show could be setting them up for a love connection. Then again, this letter seems significant enough to speculate that a romance between Jorah and Dany is in the works. Crazier things have certainly happened.
Here's How to Convert Slow-Cooker Recipes to Your Instant Pot
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts
The Instant Pot and the slow cooker may look alike, but they function a lot differently. The name of each appliance says it all - slow-cooked food takes hours, while the Instant Pot knocks it out quickly. So when you're converting a slow-cooker recipe to an Instant Pot, there are a few things to consider. Keep these conversions in mind the next time you whip out your Instant Pot for a quick and easy dinner.
1. Lower the Meat-Cooking Time
One of the best things about the Instant Pot is its ability to cook meat insanely fast - even when frozen. If you're converting meat from a slow cooker to an Instant Pot, follow this rule: if the meat dish cooks in eight hours on low or four hours on high in the slow cooker, it will cook in 25-30 minutes in the Instant Pot. Make sure the Instant Pot setting reads "sealing" and not "venting" to ensure it's cooked properly. The "meat/stew" button is great for red meat recipes like bolognese, and the "poultry" button can be used for chicken dishes like garlic chicken soup. If you're cooking meat from frozen in an Instant Pot, just add five or 10 more minutes to the total cook time until it's done.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Nicole Perry
2. Add More Liquid
Instant Pots need more liquid to function properly, so if your recipe doesn't already call for at least a cup of liquid (such as broth or water), add it.
3. Skip Certain Ingredients
A pressure cooker or Instant Pot won't handle certain ingredients the same way a slow cooker would. If you're making an Instant Pot meal with milk or dairy, don't add it in the beginning. It can be stirred in or simmered at the end, but it won't cook successfully under pressure. If you're using a thickener, such as a cornstarch slurry, whisk it in at the end as well.
If you have even more specific questions about your recipe, follow this complete guide to converting slow-cooker recipes to an Instant Pot.
The Steamy Details For Call Me by Your Name, the Next Great Gay Romance
Back in January, those who faced the bitter cold at the Sundance Film Festival found the perfect new film to help them thaw out. Call Me by Your Name gave a glimpse of a far-off but surely warm and dreamy Summer. The film is a new gay romance about two young men who meet during the hottest months of the year in Italy. The sad thing about Sundance is that it boasts a ton of promising and exciting new films that don't get released until months after the festival. And while a group of the picks are set to stream on Netflix and Amazon, Call Me by Your Name isn't hitting theaters until November. So, what do we know so far about the dreamy new romance? We've got plenty of details to hold you over.
1. The Story
The film is based on the 2007 novel of the same name by André Aciman. It follows the story of Oliver, an American student who goes to the Lombardy region of Italy to work with a man named Professor Perlman for the Summer. It's a tradition for the Perlman family to take a house guest every year. Elio is Professor Perlman's son, and he immediately begins spending time with Oliver. A romance blooms between the two over the course of Oliver's six weeks in Italy.
2. The Cast
Armie Hammer (who plays Oliver) is perhaps the most recognizable face of the bunch. His notable credits are as the Winklevoss twins in The Social Network and The Lone Ranger in The Lone Ranger. He also starred more recently in Nocturnal Animals, The Birth of a Nation, and The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Timothée Chalamet, Hammer's love interest, Elio, is a fresh face who has two pretty big gigs under his belt. His first major recurring role was on Homeland, where he played Dana Brody's boy toy Finn. In 2014, he starred as Matthew McConaughey's 15-year-old son Tom in Interstellar.
You might also recognize Michael Stuhlbarg, who plays Elio's father and has a pretty extensive résumé himself. Suthlbarg played Arnold Rothstein for a few seasons on Boardwalk Empire and also appeared in Blue Jasmine, Steve Jobs, Trumbo, Doctor Strange, and Arrival. Most recently, he had a starring role as Sy Feltz on the third season of FX's acclaimed series Fargo.
3. The Trailer
With gorgeous shots and visuals and a dreamy new Sufjan Stevens song, the trailer is already stunning in and of itself. It does a perfect job creating the picturesque mood of a 1980s Summer in Italy and beautifully captures the first buds of a long-blooming love. I cried. Sorry.
4. The Buzz
Hot on the heels of Moonlight's historic win at the Oscars, it makes sense that another gay romance would be a beacon for attention the following year. But Call Me by Your Name has more than just what you might call an "award-winning formula." It premiered at Sundance Film Festival in January and quickly became the toast of the town. The film gained praise from Variety, Vanity Fair, The Hollywood Reporter, and many more outlets. More recently, other have claimed that the film has Oscar potential. With a few months to go until its Fall release, it's got plenty of time to build even more momentum.
5. The Release Date
Here's the bad news: Call Me by Your Name doesn't hit theaters until Nov. 24. We've got to wait a long time to fall in love.
11 Cool Birthday Gifts For Women in Their 20s
Getting a millennial woman a birthday gift is . . . hard. They are so in tune to the world around them, so they want cutting-edge products that are useful, beautiful, or both. What should you buy the birthday girl? We rounded up a list of the best presents you could purchase for a 20-something. These items work for a busy woman who appreciates something thoughtful and practical. They're guaranteed to please.
All of This Nike Gear Is on Sale at Nordstrom Right Now
By now, you're well aware that the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is in full swing, with deep discounts on just about everything you could imagine. But if you haven't quite stocked up on your workout gear yet, you still have a few days left to do it. Up ahead, we found the best running tights, sneakers, and zip-up hoodies any Nike fan could ask for. You have from now until Aug. 7 to take advantage of these deals.
The Secret to Sofia Vergara's Slim Figure Is One You Could Also Follow
Besides her talent, Sofia Vergara's amazing body has always been the talk of the town ever since she made her debut in that now infamous Pepsi commercial when she was just 17. The now-45-year-old has gotten a lot of attention through the years, especially after taking on the role as Gloria on Modern Family, and the best part is she embraces her status as sex symbol.
One thing that hasn't changed about Sofia since we first got to meet her is her impressively toned yet curvy body - and it's all due to her diet. In 2011, she told Fox News that for her, it's all about balance. "Not too much food, not too much exercise, not too much anything. Everything in moderation," Sofia said in the interview.
For breakfast, she loves to have something filling. "One of my favorites is a kind of homemade muesli made of Greek yogurt, oats, chia seeds, nuts, and blueberries," she told Glamour in 2015.
In another interview with Celebuzz, she revealed she doesn't really like dieting - we have proof of this on the many Instagram photos she posts of her indulgences and her favorite workout hashtag, #NoPainNoCake. "I have never believed crazy diets, so I usually try to eat healthy, of course," she told the website. "I love vegetables and healthy food and juices, so I'm pretty good with that."
Even though Sofia loves eating healthy, her biggest issue is her love for sweets. "My problem always has been my obsession with sweets . . . . One of my biggest secrets is that I'm always trying to figure out how to get away with trying to eat something sweet after a meal or before going to bed."
On the Prowl? 50+ Iconic Anthems to Play When You're Feeling Flirty
Everyone has a song that gets them going the second it hits their ear - it takes less than 10 seconds for a flirty, sexy, naughty vibe to take over - which makes these tunes perfect for pregaming and turning up with your besties on the weekends. Of course there are recent hits like "Work From Home" and "Anaconda," but it's also worth highlighting how hard it is to resist winding your hips to old-school jams like "I'm a Slave 4 U" and "Milkshake." We're going even further back with sexy songs from the '80s and '90s, too. Scroll through for some seriously steamy nostalgia!
Lift and Shape Your Butt With This 8-Minute Workout
CrossFit is all about high-intensity WODs (workout of the day), so here's a quick and intense one you can do at home or the gym that's only eight minutes long. It may seem short and basic, but holy booty burn! Eight minutes will seem so long for your butt and thighs, plus your heart rate will be soaring, and your sweat dripping! If you think you're sore now, just wait until tomorrow (you're welcome!).
The Workout: Complete this three-move circuit as many times as you can for eight minutes, with no resting between exercises if possible. Aim for three to four rounds.
10 alternating backward lunges
20 step-ups (10 on the right, 10 on the left)
30 air squats
Jade Jenny, CrossFit coach and owner of Champlain Valley CrossFit suggests backward lunges instead of forward lunges "for a slightly different stimulus," since it requires more coordination, and can be less taxing on the knee. I like to up the intensity of this workout by holding 15-pound dumbbells for the lunges and step-ups, which CrossFit coach and competitor Dani Horan says will also work your grip. Then I drop the weights and really bust through the 30 squats. But you can hold lighter dumbbells for all three moves, or use no dumbbells at all - it's up to you. But no matter what, push yourself hard, embrace the burn, and remember, it'll all be over in eight minutes!
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